Yeah, it might be a little old-fashioned—but it's also the ultimate in class.

Step 1: Decide length & paper sizeFigure out how long your thank you letter is going to be, and choose a paper size accordingly. You don't want to have to write REALLY BIG to take up the space.

TipA thank you letter should be on high-quality paper or note card stock.

Step 2: Decide handwritten or typedDecide if your thank you letter will be handwritten or printed. A personal thank you letter should be handwritten, while one written for business purposes may be typed.

TipIf you're addressing a formal note to a female, make sure you use her preferred title—Miss, Mrs., or Ms.

Step 3: Start by thanking personStart by thanking the person—and then provide a specific example of why their gift or gesture is so appreciated. For example, "Thank you so much for the toothbrush, which I will certainly put to good use twice a day!"

TipIf the gift was expensive, acknowledge it politely and let them know you're grateful.

Step 4: Refer to past & futureRefer to the past and the future. For example, you might say to a family friend, "You're so kind to always remember my birthday," and "I'm looking forward to seeing you over the holidays."

Step 5: Close w/ personalized thanksClose with a final personalized thanks, such as, "Thanks again for such a cool gift; I know you went to a lot of trouble to get it."

Step 6: Proofread noteProofread the note, or your next gift might just be a dictionary.

Did You Know?According to a survey, 58% of moms say their children write thank you notes.